Chennai Elevated Expressway: ₹3570 Crore Project Gets Green Signal, NHAI & State Join Hands, Check Who Benefits

The ₹3,570 crore Chennai Elevated Expressway connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal has received strong support from the Tamil Nadu government. With construction led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the 15-km stretch running above the Cooum River is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve port connectivity. PWD Minister E V Velu confirmed that the state has signed a “state support agreement” to ensure smooth execution.

Government Extends Full Support to Chennai Elevated Expressway

Minister Velu made it clear that the DMK government is fully behind the Chennai Elevated Expressway project. Signing the state support agreement reflects the government’s commitment to solving administrative and logistical hurdles. This move ensures better coordination with central agencies like the NHAI and various state departments, paving the way for faster progress.

Construction Updates on Chennai Elevated Expressway

Despite delays caused by the Water Resources Department and a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order, the ₹3,570 crore project is now gaining pace. Last year’s monsoon saw a three-month halt in construction. However, work has resumed and is being closely monitored. So far, 812 out of 5,296 piles and 41 of 882 pile caps have been completed. At two separate casting yards, 14 out of 9,415 required units have been cast. Resettlement of people living near the river and shifting of power lines are in progress to prevent further interruptions.

Who Will Benefit from Chennai Elevated Expressway?

The Chennai elevated expressway is being built to make travel and transport faster and easier. The ones who will benefit the most are trucks, cargo vehicles and people travelling long distances.

Heavy vehicles often get stuck in traffic, especially during peak hours and festivals. This new expressway will help them avoid busy city roads. It will connect important places like the Chennai Port and the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway, so goods can be moved quickly and easily.

This will also help people living in the city. With trucks using the elevated road, normal roads will have less traffic. That means faster travel and smoother rides for daily commuters too.

NHAI Takes Charge as Expansion and Renaming Proposals Surface

Although NHAI issued the work order in November 2023, the site was handed over only in May 2024 due to earlier departmental issues. Now, regular review meetings are being held with agencies like NHAI, WRD, Tangedco, the traffic police, and the Indian Navy. Meanwhile, KMDK MLA E R Eswaran has proposed naming the project after former CM M Karunanidhi and extending it to the Outer Ring Road from Poonamallee—highlighting the project’s long-term value for Chennai’s infrastructure.